Horror in Henderson

Donald Trump held his first indoor campaign event on Sunday in Henderson, NV.  It was the first such event since his “Embarrassment at the Tulsa, OK Corral.”  The whole idea of indoor events with throngs of people standing shoulder to shoulder has been unthinkable since then as COVID-19 ramped up all summer long in the states.  In fact, there are restrictions against indoor gatherings of 50 or more in Nevada at this time.

But pesky things like rules and laws didn’t stop Trump.  If you watched the images you were supposed to see, you saw Trump at the podium with a crowd of fans behind him, all of them safely wearing masks (no social distancing, though).  

Plenty of masks.  No people of color, though.

This was the ONLY group that was masked, as it was MANDATORY in order to sit in the back.  This served two purposes – made for a “good image” for Trump, and helped protect the known germophobe.  The rest of the crowd inside the event and those on the outside were mostly mask-less and packed in like sardines.

Mask-less and Clue-less

And speaking about those images, all the major networks (including Fox) decided to sit this one out.  Local stations were inside as did the members of the White House Press Pool.  Still, one source said, “There is definitely some anxiety in the pool,” as the seats were kept close together and “no serious attempts at COVID containment.”

Trump knows how dangerous the virus is.  In an April 13 interview with Bob Woodward, he retold a story about the virus.  He said it’s “…so easily transmissible, you wouldn't even believe it. I was in the White House a couple of days ago.  Meeting of 10 people in the Oval Office.  And a guy sneezed, innocently.  Not a horrible—just a sneeze.  The entire room bailed out, okay?  Including me, by the way.”

That’s why he’s tested regularly.  His staff is tested regularly.  The staff at the event in Henderson were all wearing masks, and they outlined the floorway for him to walk to and from the podium with plenty of space between him and the crowd.  He feels confident that he’s protected, telling the Reno newspaper, “I’m on a stage and it’s very far away, and so I’m not at all concerned.”

Yet he still held this event.  Indoors.  At a site whose owner has already been fined before for holding events in defiance of the 50-or-more restriction (a beauty pageant and a Trump fundraiser).  Officials in Henderson warned Don Ahern, owner of Xtrmeme Manufacturing where the rally was held, that he would be in violation (again) of the restrictions.  Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak minced no words.  “At a time when Nevada is focused on getting our economy back on track and protecting public health, the president’s actions this weekend are shameful, dangerous and irresponsible.”

 

Trump responded to the threat of fines in typical Trump fashion.  Speaking to Ahern, Trump said, “If the governor comes after you, which he shouldn’t be doing, I’ll be with you all the way.”

So, to recap:

• Trump cares about his own health, and takes many precautions to avoid the virus
• He could care less about anyone else
• He could care less about rules designed to protect everyone else

Got that?  Oh, and it’s not just my opinion.  Here’s Tim Miller, who USED to be the spokesperson for the Republican National Committee:  “…it was so appalling that it would stand out as the single most appalling and reckless political event hosted by any presidential nominee in my lifetime before yesterday by a long shot, if you just didn’t count anything else that Donald Trump did.”

And we still have almost two months to go.  Buckle up.